Smith, nicknamed "Howling Mad," became the highest ranking officer from Alabama in World War II, attaining the rank of lieutenant general by the end of the war. In the letter he discusses family members and reflects on the future of the war:...

In the first letter, written from the Exchange Hotel on January 10, 1861, Mitchell describes the tension and excitement in the city as they wait for the official declaration of Alabama's secession: "There seems to be no doubt, you may tell your...

In the letter George describes an attempt to destroy the insurgents' entrenchments at the town of Fernando in the Philippines. He feels that a great number of American troops will be necessary to put an end to the conflict: "It is my opinion that...

In the address Smith comments on the recent election of Lincoln; describes the objectives and administration of the new Confederate government; gives a historical and religious defense of slavery; commends the new government's prohibition of the...

In his address Cobb insists that the slavery question, the central issue influencing the pending secession of the South, was not answered by the recent presidential election: "But gentlemen say they cannot do anything. They say that the edict went...

In the letter John writes about his health, family members and acquaintances, and an upcoming fair. He also discusses politics in detail, including the presidential election of 1860: "I have just been reading Yancey's great New York speech. I think...

In the letter John discusses the tense political climate across the country, the possibility of secession, and the necessity of fighting: "I heard to day [sic] that the latest telegraphic news was that Gov. Wise had been assassinated, Cobb had been...

The deed specifically protects the gift from the control of Alpha's husband: "...the said John Thomas Neal, may have the use of the said negroe [sic] girl while he lives, as a husband to his wife and a father to his children, but that is all he...

The gift is conditional, however: "That if myself or Edwards [sic] mother my wife should in the events of life consider that either of us should stand in need of said negroes--then either of our own judgements [sic] shall rule and take the said...

In the telegram Powell and Dempsey write on behalf of African American ministers who have been arrested in connection with the Montgomery bus boycott: "We shall pray for your guidance in this matter that you may not be persuaded by the prejudices...

In the letter the men ask the governor to intervene on behalf of the Republicans in Calhoun County, who have been threatened and shunned because of their political views. They describe the threats and hostilities, including those against African...

In the letter Seward explains that Congress is proposing a fifteenth amendment to the Constitution, which must be voted on by the state legislatures. He includes a certified copy of the resolution: "The right of citizens of the United States to...

From pages 123 and 124 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the coloured girl Francoise Leones, daughter of a black woman named Francoise,...

From page 124 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the black [man] named Ernest, the slave of the heirs of Augustine Colin, late of Mobile,...

From page 122 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "Be it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Alabama in General Assembly convened,...

From page 123 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the coloured woman named Clarissa, aged about forty-six years, and the coloured girl named...

From pages 122 and 123 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That Venus a black woman, and her two children, viz. Francis a mulatto boy, aged about...

From page 122 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That Carmelete [sic] a black woman, and her infant child, named Marian, aged about eighteen...

From pages 123 of ACTS PASSED AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, published in 1825: "And be it further enacted, That the mulatto girl named Mileysertte alias Millescent, aged about seven years, daughter of...

The first item is a letter from Senator Buford, in which he discusses sectional division over the issues of territorial expansion and slavery; he suggests a convention of the Southern states to address the "impending results of the northern...